You're Better Than That: COL (R) Mary Forbes Artwork

Combat Exclusion

Less than a decade ago, the potential repeal of the Combat Exclusion Policy painted headlines across the country; now, the first wave of many "combat arms" women are facing a decisive point in their military careers, asking themselves – should I stay or should I go? This summer, join Chandler and Johanna, two West Point graduates who have grappled with this decision themselves, as they explore the realities of gender integration's still imperfect reality, lending voices to the women and men on the frontlines of the United States military's recent efforts.

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Combat Exclusion

You're Better Than That: COL (R) Mary Forbes

August 30, 2022 • Chandler Cole, Johanna Crisman • Season 1 • Episode 6

This week a very special guest joins us! COL (R ) Mary Forbes, Johanna’s mom, joins us this week to talk about her 26 year long career in the Army and her lifelong commitment of service. She shares challenges and victories with candor and humor as she reflects on the things that taxed and toughened her. She highlights how the support of her leaders set the conditions she needed to be successful. She also spends time talking about life after the uniform, providing essential information about supporting our veterans. She offers a new tool for our tool kit when we face sexism and unprofessional behavior – keep it simple, know your worth, and hold your ground. Join us this week for stories from an “Old Grad” that resonate across the years.

Find Mary Forbes’ oral history at West Point Center for Oral History https://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/taxed-and-toughened-achieving-balance-in-a-dual-military-family

Glossary:

ADA: Air defense artillery

TOC: Tactical operations center

Title 10 - Regular Army

Title 32 - National Guard

People on this episode

Chandler Cole

Host

Johanna Crisman

Host